The Skillman Foundation

Determined to Succeed With Excellence is the theme of the 68th Anniversary of The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc. – Detroit Club Founders’ Day.

Ms. Leatha Kelly Larde will be awarded the Club’s Sojourner Truth Award for her voter registration, union, and civic work. Her motto still rings true: “Freedom is not free; we must continue to work building on the foundation that others left for us.” Ms. Larde has been a Freedom Rider and a Freedom Fighter. The Sojourner Truth Award is the highest award presented by the Club. The recipient must be a woman who has given outstanding community services far beyond the call of duty. To receive the Sojourner Truth Award, a woman must be an advocate of civil rights and women’s rights; she must embody the spirit and values of Sojourner Truth.

The recipient of the Frederick Douglass Award is Robert Thornton, Senior Program Officer at the Skillman Foundation. Mr. Thornton leads the Foundation’s community safety efforts and has provided leadership for the Foundation’s faith-based, fatherhood and boys and men of color work. Mr. Thornton’s true passion is demonstrated in his unwavering efforts on behalf of youth and the monumental challenges facing African-American and Latino boys. The Frederick Douglass Award is given to a Black male, who has contributed time and effort to help black women take their rightful place in every aspect of life. The Frederick Douglass Award recipient is not only personally dedicated, but has a direct, positive and long-term impact on the quality of his community.

Paulina Johnson who will be honored as The Professional Women of the Year and Amina Bell who will be recognized as The Club Sister of the Year will join Ms. Larde and Mr. Thornton along with Club President Deborah Cheatham and Program Co-Chairs Lois Davis-Green and Lynda Dandridge on the dais for this auspicious occasion.

The Event will be held on April 28, 2018 at Greater New Mt. Moriah Banquet Center located at 586 Owens Detroit, MI 48203. To buy tickets to the event, click here.

The NANBPWC was founded in 1935 at a time when African Americans were called “Negroes” and professional and entrepreneurial accomplishments of women were not celebrated. The Detroit Club was founded in 1951.